Guppy fish. Video
Little smart guppies are the most sought after fish on the planet. Without exaggeration, they can be found on any continent, purchased at any pet store. They are distinguished by a variety of colors, peacefulness and endurance. Taking care of them is as easy as shelling pears.
Species history and characteristics
Guppies are one of the most popular and unpretentious aquarium fish on the planet. They are viviparous and do not spawn. Actually, the history of guppy breeding by Europeans began with this amazing discovery. When the British explorer Robert John Lechmer Guppy read a report on exotic viviparous fish to members of the Royal Society in 1886, no one believed him; the scientist was laughed at. Nevertheless, Guppy sent several specimens of the outlandish fish to the director of the British Museum, Albert C. Gunther. He became interested in the babies and named them after Robert Guppy Girardinus guppy, mistakenly believing him to be the discoverer.
In fact, the first European to pay attention to guppies was the German ichthyologist Wilhelm Petere. He discovered them in 1859
In 1909, Captain D.A. Whipan became involved in the supply and breeding of smart guppies. Exotic fish were imported from Venezuela, Trinidad, Martinique and Barbados. In 1911, because of their diamond-shaped scales, the fish were renamed Poecilia reticulatus (Peters): the Latin word reticulum means “mesh”. However, the name “guppy” is firmly rooted among both aquarium fish enthusiasts and specialists.
Guppy fish are known for their unpretentiousness, but even more remarkable, they live longer in captivity than in the sea, and grow to large sizes. Guppies have pronounced sexual dimorphism: females and males differ in color, shape and size. Males reach 1,5 – 4 cm in length, females – 2,8 – 7 cm. For males, a bright unusual color is characteristic, females are usually gray and inconspicuous.
Guppies are one of the first fish to visit space aboard the Salyut-5 orbital station
The most common are the following guppy breeds: – red blond; – blue cobra; – dragon head; – scarlet; – blue-green; – mesh; – carpet; – Berliners.
In total, there are currently more than a hundred different combinations of shapes and colors of guppies. All this is the result of the work of breeders from all over the world.
Guppies are the easiest fish to keep, ideal for novice aquarists. In addition, being very peaceful, they get along without any problems with other types of fish. Another thing is that it is extremely difficult for them to survive alone: these fish are sociable and cannot stand loneliness. The ideal volume for a guppy aquarium is 20-50 liters. It should have enough room for swimming and should be free of tough plants, driftwood and large rocks, otherwise the tiny fish could damage their fins. It is necessary to keep the fish at a water temperature of 15 to 36 degrees. Like most other fish species, guppies need artificial lighting, without which they develop slowly and color poorly. When it comes to nutrition, guppies are omnivorous. They eat small food of both plant and animal origin, they tolerate dry feeding from a pet store well. Guppies do not require any specific care.
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